Photo courtesy of Aikido Journal



Message from Hitohiro Saito Sensei, Ibaraki Dojo Cho Daiko
Continuing the tradition

Dear Aikidoists,

His life was dedicated to Aikido, and to the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. After the death of the Founder, he held the tradition as keeper of Iwama and the Aiki Shrine. This was my father…Morihiro Saito Shihan.

The Founder developed the art of Aikido which began a heritage and tradition at Iwama of over sixty years. The mission of my father was to carry on this tradition, correctly from one generation to the next.
Like a giant oak tree, he protected and gave us shelter to grow in. But as is the way of life, he no longer shades us with his council and teachings; and he is missed. Left in his stead, are many strong young saplings ready to grow in new light. I understand that my mission now is to carry forward the tradition which began with the Founder, and continued with my father. I continue day by day with practice at Iwama, in the Iwama tradition.

This coming February 2003 I will hold a memorial seminar for my father at Aikido Nippon Kan in Denver, Colorado. At this seminar I will teach the techniques I have learned from my father and practiced since I was small. These teachings, I wish to share with all aikidoists.

During my father’s lifetime he was graced with the support of students around the word, for which I will always be grateful.

This seminar will also be an opportunity to meet many Aikidoists, from different parts of the United States and abroad. I hope for the chance to study and learn to help shape the direction of Iwama in the future. My personal challenge is to learn to blend the traditions of my heritage with a new generation in a new era.

I am very happy to announce that at this seminar, a special memorial lecture will be presented by Aikido Journal Editor, Mr. Stanley Pranin on the life of my father Morihiro Saito Shihan.
This seminar is not only for American Iwama students, but I hope will be a chance for Aikidoists of all styles and affiliations to join for communication, reflection and practice. This would please me greatly as I know it would have pleased my Father.

Hope to meet you in February 2003 in Denver, Colorado!
Thank you very much,
Hitohiro Saito
Ibaraki Dojo Cho Daiko

Morihiro Saito Obituary
Shihan Morihiro Saito, 9th degree black belt, Aikikai Honbu Shihan, was born in 1928 in the town of Iwama, Ibaragi Prefecture Japan. Iwama is now home to the Aiki shrine and Iwama dojo. Saito Shihan was the uchideshi (live-in student) who trained the longest under the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, having studied for twenty-three years from 1946 to 1969. After the Founder’s death in 1969, Saito Shihan remained at Iwama dojo as chief instructor and the keeper of the historical origins of the Founder’s Aikido. In our international Aikido community he was an authority on the Founder’s traditional techniques, being one of the world’s foremost Aikido instructors and having authored many books and videos on Aikido. Morihiro Saito Shihan passed away May 13, 2002

Message from Homma Sensei
Dear Aikidoists,
His father, Morihiro Saito Shihan was born in, lived his life, and passed on in Iwama.

His oldest son, Hitohiro Sensei, was born in and has also lived his life in Iwama. Hitohiro Sensei is now the householder of the Saito family. The greatness of the Saito family name, he now carries on his shoulders.

The heritage of the Saito family both privately and publicly is closely linked to the Founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba and Iwama, home of the Aiki shrine. Their history is forever entwined with the Founders history and engrained in the history of Aikido.

After his fathers passing, Hitohiro Sensei said to me, “My wish now is to honor my father with a Memorial seminar in the United States in his name.” I was impressed by the positive stance taken by Hitohiro Sensei as he shoulders the new responsibilities of this next generation. For this reason I have offered my support of his efforts.

The art and practice of Aikido has evolved with the passage of time, just as those, like Saito Shihan, evolved through time with their own personal transformations. The dynamic style and technique of Hitohiro Sensei is that of his father as a younger man, decades ago. The techniques of Saito Shihan are well documented in his later years, and now through Hitohiro Sensei we can see in reverse the origin and foundation of his movements. This is a wonderful chance to see and to learn what has been passed down from one father of greatness to his son.

I am personally looking forward to this seminar event, and hope that you will be able to join us!

Nippon Kan Kancho
Gaku Homma



Seminar Schedule (subject to change)

February 7 • Friday	5:00 to 6:00 p.m.	Open/Check In
	6:00 to 8:00 p.m.	Keiko
February 8 • Saturday	9:30 to 11:30 a.m.	Keiko
	1:00 to 3:00 p.m.	Keiko
	3:30 to 5:30 p.m.	Keiko
	5:45 to 6:45 p.m.	Lecture (by Stanley Pranin, editor of Aikido Journal)
February 9 • Sunday	10:00 a.m. to Noon	Keiko

Registration Information
SEMINAR FEE: $95.00
Special rates are not available for partial attendance. A fee of $20.00 per class will be charged for observation only. Out-of-town guest’s spouse or companion may observe classes at no charge. T-shirt included.

REGISTRATION
1. Please fill out the registration and liability form fully (on both sides). Sign form where indicated and send in with your check made payable to Nippon Kan. Deadline for seminar registration is February 1, 2003. Partial refunds are available for cancellations made before January 31, 2003.

or

2. Click here for Online Registration Sorry, online registration is closed, but you can still register at the seminar!

3. Limited registration onsite the day of the event. Cash and credit card (Visa and Mastercard) only. Checks will not be accepted at that time.

Please bring sandals, bokken and jo. During practice, videos are prohibited without special permission. Photos are not allowed to be taken except during designated periods.



Accommodations
Suggested nearby hotels in the $120 and up price range:

• Westin Hotel, 1672 Lawrence St. 303.572.9100
• Hotel Monaco, 1717 Champa St. 303.296.1717
• Embassy Suites, 1881 Curtis St. 303.297.8888
• Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 934 16th St. 303.571.1114

Suggested nearby hotels in the $80–$120 price range:

• Marriott City Center Denver, 1701 California St. 303.297.1300
• Residence Inn by Marriott, 2777 Zuni St. 303.458.5318
• Towneplace Suites by Marriott, 685 Speer Blvd. 303.722.2322

Suggested nearby hotels in the $40–$80 price range:

• LaQuinta Inn Downtown, 3500 Park Avenue West 303.458.1212
• Ramada Inn Downtown, 1150 E Colfax Ave. 303.831.7700
• Super 8 Motel, 5888 North Broadway 303.296.3100

Limited space available at the dojo. Mat space and shower facilities. Need own sleeping bag. To inquire about availabilitly email request to info@nippon-kan.org.

Transportation

• The airport is about a 40-45 minute drive from Downtown Denver.
• Taxi from DIA airport to downtown is approximately $50 (including tip).
• Bus service costs $8 one way, $13 round trip and leaves once an hour (at X:50); last trip at 12:50am. For details, see RTD website: www.rtd-denver.com. Look for Sky Ride route AF.
• Mini van bus: SuperShuttle. $18 one way, $32 round trip Operates 4:00AM to 12:00AM, seven days a week with departures every 15 minutes. For details, call 800-525-3177 or go to website: www.supershuttledenver.com

Limited space available at the dojo. Mat space and shower facilities. Need own sleeping bag. To inquire about availability email request to info@nippon-kan.org.

Seminar Location
Denver Buddhist Temple Gymnasium
1947 Lawrence Street • Sakura Square
Denver, Colorado 80201

For more information, contact Nippon Kan at:
1365 Osage Street • Denver, Colorado 80204
Or, call Emily at 303-894-0100 (days)
or Nippon Kan at 303-595-8256 (after 5:00 p.m.).
fax: 303-623-0838
e-mail: info@nippon-kan.org